SNOOKER

At the year nine options evening at Wyvern School, Dan Hildyard was told that the PE national curriculum did not cover the sport.

Hildyard, desperate to make his mark in the game, took his frustration out at Chandler's Ford Snooker Club, slicing through the opposition with ease to win week ten of the £900 Under-21 Roll-Up and leapfrog close rival Nick Jennings, 13, to open up a one-point lead at the top.

The Fair Oak lad beat Peter Maraziotis, 16, in the semis before dispatching 12-year-old Billy Castle 3-0 in the final.

Marchwood's Castle saw off Jason Hildyard, also 12, in the other semi and jumps over Mark McLean into third spot.

Alex Dunkley, 16, lost in the first round for the third week running, this time to an excellent performance by Saints fan Jo Finch.

The Bursledon lad did knock in breaks of 51 and 62 to win the Plate again, beating Will Baird, 14, in a five-frame final.

Top 15 in the money positions at the halfway point in the series: Dan Hildyard 73 pts, Nick Jennings 72, Billy Castle 57, Mark McLean 56, Alex Dunkley 54, Ryan Mears 47, Jason Hildyard 45, Lee Roling 40, Arran Newman 40, Peter Maraziotis 38, Lee O'Brien 38, Jack Hyom 37, Jamie Newman 34, Ollie Tydeman 33, Will Baird 32.

l England International Mike Finn is the new CIU singles champion of Hampshire.

The 19-year-old Eastleigh hotshot, pictured, beat Warren Social's Chris Holland, a former town champion, in an all-Southampton final in Totton.

Finn knocked in breaks of 56, 66 and 76 on the way to a 4-1 victory.

Unfortunately, the national CIU title is now out of reach, at least for this season.

The 'Mighty Finn', with Sarisbury Social teammate Neil Blake driving, made a five-hour round trip to Gwent for a last 32 match but lost out 3-2 on the black in a thrilling contest against Challenge Tour player Andrew Pagett.

The Welshman is the full-time practice partner of world number two Mark Williams.

The Southampton pair had the unnerving experience of watching the referee lock the snooker room door on the inside to stop even more local fans packing in.

The trip to Haverhill in Suffolk for the fourth event on the national Golden Waistcoat Tour proved a disappointment for Alex Dunkley.

In a tough group, Dunkley managed just one win - slotting in a 61 to beat Greg Davis, son of six-times world champion Steve.

In local competition, Bill Steel, 63, despite back pain, managed to win £50 along with Alex Dunkley in the Chandler's Ford club's weekly knockout.

Jim Everett collected £65 in Thursday's (winner takes all) contest after beating 17-year-old Peter Marazoitis 2-0.

The leader board sees no change at the top - Tim Dunkley £402, Mike Finn £375 and Nick Allen £310 leading.